"No, we weren't really taken seriously," says Kurt Resch, looking back on his first attempts at mountain biking in the South Tyrolean mountains. That was a good 30 years ago - and of course he had no idea at the time that the hotelier of the organic Hotel Steineggerhof would become one of the region's pioneers.
Back then, mountain bikers were considered pretty weird birds, Kurt remembers. And although there weren't many of them exploring the trails of the Val d'Ega on two wheels, he "realised early on that something great could come of it". Especially here, where beauty abounds. Where the already impressive Dolomite massifs of Rosengarten and Latemar begin to glow a fabulous deep red in the morning and evening. And Lake Carezza, which had already made it into various travel magazines at the time with its intense colours.
In 1993, Kurt Resch simply placed an advert for his biker-friendly hotel in BIKE magazine - with limited success at first. "We didn't have our first guests until two years later," he says with a grin, looking back. But his perseverance soon paid off, not least because he found some allies over time. Around ten tourist businesses were infected by Kurt's fascination with mountain biking. All of them are located in the Val d'Ega, which is around 20 minutes by car from Bolzano between the villages of Collepietra, Nova Levante and Nova Ponente and Monte San Pietro.
The region was a leader in South Tyrol early on, Kurt recalls.
Even though mountain bikers are now vying for favour almost everywhere with sometimes spectacular trails and bike parks, the clocks seem to tick a little slower here in a pleasant way "The Val d'Ega has retained its naturalness and diversity," says Kurt. Here, people continue to rely on the three aces up their sleeve: Climate, scenery and cuisine.
"From early spring to late autumn, you have perfect conditions for biking here," explains the hotelier, who has been guiding almost daily for more than 15 years. Then he points out of the window: "And such a panorama is really hard to beat."
Of course, experienced guides like Kurt also know the challenging trails in the region. Real alpine tinkering tasks. But the decision has been made to continue catering for leisure bikers. Christian Ploner, one of the most experienced mountain bike guides in the region, knows that this is particularly popular with many mountain bikers.
"Everyone is amazed by the spectacular landscape around the Catinaccio and Latemar," he says, describing his experiences from countless tours. "But when there were no e-bikes, some people couldn't really enjoy the beauty of the Dolomites," says Christian with a wink. Like most of his guests, he has long since switched to an e-MTB and appreciates the benefits. It makes the sometimes steep and long climbs in the region easier and harmonises different levels of ability within larger groups.
So when he sets off on the Latemar Ronda with his guests, things are pretty relaxed these days. "The tour is still the tour highlight in the Val d'Ega," says Christian:
As beautiful as the Sella Ronda, but less crowded.
The times when it was frowned upon among mountain bikers to resort to uphill aids seem almost bizarre today. The ultra-steep ramps from the Fassa Valley up to the Feudo Pass are still a challenge that only real mountain goats can manage in competition mode.
Touring bikers no longer have to put up with the slog thanks to lift and motor assistance. From Welschnofen and the Karersee settlement, as well as from Obereggen, you only have to crank up a short climb to the Karer Pass and can relax and let your gaze wander over the panorama.
You then have a choice for the descent into the Fassa Valley: Either downhill on a challenging and in places rough trail - or on the relaxed gravel path variant without any technical challenges. When Kurt Resch thinks back to the times before e-MTBs, he talks about guests who even wanted to tackle the Latemar circuit from Steinegg - with all the extra metres in altitude that accumulate up to the start of the actual circuit. "After that, we all needed two days of rest," he recalls with a laugh.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Kurt was also one of the pioneers in the region when it came to e-bikes. "In the beginning, nobody wanted to touch the bikes," recalls the hotel owner, who offered e-bikes for hire early on. And today? Even his sportiest guests no longer want to do without the motorised assistance.
Eggental Taste Local" project
He felt the same way when he and his daughter Lisa started cooking vegan food at the hotel. Today, they have an excellent reputation throughout South Tyrol and are one of the flagships in Val d'Ega in terms of sustainability. Many restaurateurs, hoteliers and large and small agricultural producers have launched the "Val d'Ega Taste Local" project. Many restaurants and hotels have joined in and ensure a high-quality gastronomic offering - with a strong focus on food quality and short transport routes.
In any case, there is almost an abundance of culinary specialities here. "In the most beautiful place on the Rosengarten", as Hansi Kafmann says quite immodestly about the Hagner Alm, his award-winning farmhouse cheese is on the menu. The premium view of the Rosengarten and Latemar rock faces comes free of charge.
On the other side, in Deutschnofen, Constanze and Jochen Bauder have lovingly revitalised the Nopphof and brew their own beer there. Their brewery pub, complete with beer filling station, has long been one of the most popular meeting places for bikers in the valley. And at the Messnerjochhütte, where the Rosengarten is close enough to touch, everyone raves about Edith Rauchegger's Kaiserschmarrn pancakes and homemade cakes.
This is also where you can most clearly feel that the region has changed and developed. Until ten years ago, the Carezza ski area was still in a kind of slumber. In the meantime, however, architecturally sensational cable cars have started operating here. In summer, of course, they also lift mountain bikers from Welschnofen up to the panoramic summit - and from there you can also head straight back down into the valley on the Carezza Trail.
What still endures, however, is the abundance of beauty that even those who were in the saddle here over 30 years ago cannot get used to. Kurt Resch is glad that he has always believed in his ideas. Because he has what people who enjoy travelling high up in the mountains have: a broad horizon.
What you need to know about the Val d'Ega MTB area
Nowhere is the number of committed and networked bike hoteliers greater than in the Val d'Ega. Together, they will be organising their first event this year. The focus: landscape, tours and their excellent cuisine.
The Latemar circuit will also play a leading role at the Rosadira Bike Days in June. Then hopefully in bright red evening light.
How to get there
By car: The quickest way is via the Brenner motorway, exit: Bolzano Nord. However, there is also a very fast train connection: direct trains run from Munich to Bolzano every two hours (journey time: approx. 4 hours). From there, there are good bus connections during the day to the villages in Val d'Ega. Info: bahn.de
Best time to travel
The summer season for the cable cars in Nova Levante/Welschnofen starts in May, while the lifts in Obereggen open around a month later. The Latemar Ronda tour highlight is therefore only accessible with lift assistance from mid-June. The season lasts well into October, with very pleasant daytime temperatures when the sun is shining. In the lower Steinegg, the conditions for mountain bikers are usually perfect from as early as March.
Bike shops
At Sport Laurin and Ski & Bike Rent in Welschnofen, at Sport Carezza in Carezza, at E-Bike Rental Siegfried in Obereggen and at Flex Sports in Deutschnofen there is a large selection of high-quality e-mountain bikes for hire, good advice and competent service.
Overnight stay
There are numerous accommodation providers in all parts of Val d'Ega/Eggental, from authentic guesthouses to luxury hotels. An overview can be found at eggental.com The eight accommodation establishments in Val d'Ega are specially catered to the needs of mountain bikers. More information at bikehotels.it
Rosadira Bike Days
The Val d'Ega is organising the Rosadira Bike Days for the first time this summer. For four days, the event will offer guided pleasure and panoramic tours and serve the finest South Tyrolean cuisine. And as the name suggests, the Enrosadira experience will not be neglected either. After all, the locals know where the famous Dolomite glow is at its most beautiful. In Welschnofen, Obereggen and Deutschnofen, 23 accommodation providers offer complete packages for this event. Included: guided tours, riding technique and mechanic workshops, culinary highlights, chill-out sessions - and plenty of special moments with like-minded people.
- Date: 11 to 15 June
- All information and booking: eggental.com/rosadira
Information on the 3 top MTB tours
Lush green mountain pastures bask in the sun between the Dolomite icons Catinaccio and Latemar. Panoramic trails and lifts lead up there and relaxed trails lead down.
Tour 1: Great Alpine pasture tour
- Length: 30.9 kilometres
- Uphill: 828 metres in altitude
- Trail section: 7.4 kilometres
- Difficulty: S0-S1
- Starting point: Deutschnofen
Tour description
A dream pleasure tour with panoramic views at their best and six mountain pastures with refreshment stops - each more picturesque than the last. From Nova Ponente/Deutschnofen, the trail first leads on tarmac to the Laabalm, past the alpine pasture and after a hilltop turn right downhill towards Petersberger Leger Alm. Cross the Rohrbach stream over a narrow wooden bridge and continue in the direction of Petersberger Leger, from where there is a spectacular view of the monastery of Maria Weißenstein, South Tyrol's most important place of pilgrimage.
Directly past the monastery church, then steeply uphill in places to the Schönrastalm - as the name suggests, beautifully situated on a large alpine meadow. The tour continues slightly uphill to the Neuhütt-Alm and on to the Auerleger-Alm, the highest point of the tour at 1872 metres. From here, the route leads downhill on gravel and, after crossing the Schwarzenbach stream, along the Perlenweg trail towards Liegalm. If you still have power in your legs or battery, you can crank up an extra 70 metres in altitude here. Otherwise, the trail leads steeply downhill in places before heading slightly uphill again on the forest path with the number 9 over a few roots. Then take the tarmac road back to the starting point.
Key points: Apart from a few steep ramps and a few roots on trail no. 9, there are no obstacles.
Retreat: Those who have the choice are definitely spoilt for choice on this tour. The Schönrastalm is simply a dream location. And if you stop off at the Auerleger-Alm, you can be sure that it's almost all downhill afterwards.
Tour 2: Latemar Ronda
- Length: 44.1 kilometres
- Uphill: 367 metres in altitude
- Downhill: 1686 metres in depth
- Trail section: 8.2 kilometres
- Difficulty: S0-S1
- Starting point: Welschnofen cable car or optionally also in Obereggen
Tour description
The Latemar Ronda is the perfect tour for families or those who enjoy panoramic views, as it is neither technically challenging nor physically demanding. The lifts help you uphill. The Laurin I cable car takes you from Nova Levante/Welschnofen up to the Frommeralm and along trail 1A with a short trail section along the Niger road to just behind the Ochsenhütte, where easy trail and gravel sections alternate and open up fantastic views all the way to the Carezza/Karer Pass. A partly steep gravel path leads downhill into the Fassa Valley to Moena, before rolling down to the gondola lift in Predazzo on a tarmac cycle path. Take the gondola and chairlift up to the Feudo Pass (2175 m) and join paths 504 and 505 at the top, which lead via Zischg Alm and Ganischger Alm to the Reiterjoch. Then take the Almenstraße 9 past the Epircher Laner Alm to Obereggen and back to Welschnofen via the Stadlhof farm and trail.
If you fancy some trails, continue on the road for a short distance at the Karer Pass (km 10) and then turn off onto trail 520 to Malga Roncac. Lots of roots, some blocked sections and hairpin bends await you there. From the Reiterjoch, you can also add a few trail variants down to Obereggen.
Key points: Without the trail variants mentioned above, this tour contains no technical challenges.
Lifts: The two lifts are in operation from mid-June to mid-September. Combined ticket: for 34 euros.
Retreat: The Baita Gardoné is a great place to chill out with T-bone steak, tartare and prawns.
Tour 3: King Laurin Trail
- Length: 29.4 kilometres
- Uphill: 952 metres in altitude
- Downhill: 1308 metres in depth
- Trail section: 9.9 kilometres
- Difficulty: S0-S1
- Starting point: Welschnofen, cable car car park
Tour description
This tour takes in all the scenic highlights of the Val d'Ega with spectacular views of the Latemar and Catinaccio. From the Welschnofen cable car car park, the route leads downhill through the village to the civil defence centre, where the ascent to the Stadlhof farm branches off. Partly on gravel, partly on trails, the route continues past the idyllic Lake Carezza and then on gravel up to the Mitterleger, where a beautiful trail passage over the Carezza Pass awaits. A natural path leads through meadows and forests below the Rosengarten to the car park at the Kaiserstein. At the Karersee settlement, follow the trail along the Franzin lift, then descend on gravel to the valley station of the Tschein chairlift. The lift then takes you the 450 metres in altitude to the Tschager Alm, so that you can enjoy the descent to the Frommeralm and the subsequent Carezza Trail back to Welschnofen.
Key points: The Carezza trail is easy to ride. If you want to jump, you need good timing. There is a pump track variant for the first 1.5 kilometres or so.
Retreat: The pizza and homemade ice cream at the Antermont restaurant on the Karer Pass are a must!
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